Search Results (7,292)

Arid desert regions are among the harshest ecological environments on Earth. Halophytes, with their unique physiological characteristics and adaptability, have become the dominant vegetation in these areas. Currently, research on halophytes in this region is relatively limited, particularly concerning studies related to their root endophytic fungi, which have been rarely reported on. Therefore, investigating the diversity and composition of endophytic fungi in halophytes is crucial for maintaining ecological balance in such an arid environment. This study focuses on eight representative angiosperm halophytes from the West Ordos Desert in China (including Nitraria tangutorum, Salsola passerina, Suaeda glauca, Reaumuria trigyna, Reaumuria kaschgarica, Limonium aureum, Apocynum venetum, and Tripolium vulgare), utilizing Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology combined with soil physicochemical factor data to analyze the diversity, composition, and ecological functions of their root-associated fungal communities. Ascomycota dominated the fungal composition in most halophytes, particularly among the recretohalophytes, where it accounted for an average of 88.45%, while Basidiomycota was predominant in Suaeda glauca. A Circos analysis of the top 10 most abundant genera revealed Fusarium, Dipodascus, Curvularia, Penicillium, and other dominant genera. Co-occurrence network analysis showed significant differences in fungal networks across halophyte types, with the most complex network observed in excreting halophytes, characterized by the highest number of nodes and connections, indicating tighter fungal symbiotic relationships. In contrast, fungal networks in pseudohalophytes were relatively simple, reflecting lower community cohesiveness. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and Mantel tests demonstrated that soil factors such as organic matter, available sulfur, and urease significantly influenced fungal diversity, richness, and evenness, suggesting that soil physicochemical properties play a critical role in regulating fungal–plant symbiosis. Functional predictions indicated that endophytic fungi play important roles in metabolic pathways such as nucleotide biosynthesis, carbohydrate degradation, and lipid metabolism, which may enhance plant survival in saline–alkaline and arid environments. Furthermore, the high abundance of plant pathogens and saprotrophs in some fungal communities suggests their potential roles in plant defense and organic matter decomposition. The results of this study provide a reference for advancing the development and utilization of halophyte endophytic fungal resources, with applications in desert ecosystem restoration and halophyte cultivation. Full article

Combustion is the most advanced and proven method on the market for using agricultural by-product residues and waste from the agri-food industry. Currently, a wide range of combustion technologies is used to produce heat and electricity in low-power heating devices (> 50 kW) using various types of biofuels from biomass (woody biomass, herbaceous biomass, waste and residues from the agri-food industry). Combustion of biomass fuels, especially those of wood origin, causes lower carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sulfur oxides (SO_x) emissions into the atmosphere compared to coal combustion. The growing interest in solid biofuels has contributed to intensive activities on improving the combustion process and energy devices enabling effective and economic conversion of chemical energy contained in biomass into other usable forms such as heat, electricity. Having good quality fuel, it is necessary to ensure an appropriate, clean combustion technique, which allows to achieve the highest thermal efficiency of the heating device and at the same time the lowest emission of pollutants. The article presents issues related to the theory, characteristics of the combustion process and problems related to the formation of harmful chemical compounds nitrogen oxides (NO_x), SO_x, carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) emitted to the atmosphere during the combustion process in low-power heating devices. The analysis indicates the possibility of minimizing undesirable phenomena during the combustion of these biofuels related to ash sintering, the formation of deposits, corrosion and improving the amount of condensable solid particles formed and therefore reducing the emission of gaseous products to the environment. Full article

As a kind of industrial solid waste, lead–zinc waste slag can easily cause heavy metal migration in acid environments, resulting in safety risks. Along these lines, in this work, the waste slag of a lead–zinc mining area in western Qinling, Shaanxi, China, was selected as the experimental material. Seven groups of acid soaking solutions with different pH values were set up with three parallel samples in each group, and the acid soaking experiments were conducted for 100 days. During the experiment, the electrical conductivity, pH value, and heavy metal content of the solution, as well as the pore distribution and heavy metal content of the waste slag surface, were measured. The results showed that with pH = 4 and pH = 7 as the environmental limit values, the pH value, electrical conductivity (EC), and heavy metal contents in the solution changed to different types after the waste slag was soaked in the solution with a pH of less than 4 and the solution with a pH of 5–7. The release of heavy metals from waste slag exceeded the discharge standard in the environment with a pH of less than 4, and the pore structure of waste slag was obviously enhanced, especially in the soaking solution with an initial pH of 1. The maximum soaking amounts of Zn, Pb, and Cd were 2.584 mg/L, 1.28 mg/L, and 0.0169 mg/L, respectively, during the experiment, which did not meet the “Environmental quality standards for surface water” (GB 3838-2002) and could not be excreted as direct surface water. However, when the environmental pH was greater than 7, the heavy metals showed reverse adsorption. This result indicated that when the acid soaking solution entered the alkaline range, the heavy metal content in the solution was less, which can basically meet the discharge standard. However, the pores of waste slag continued to expand. Our work provides valuable insights into the treatment of waste slag and environmental protection in lead-zinc mining areas containing sulfur. Full article

Congenital heart disease (CHD) represents the major cause of infant mortality related to congenital anomalies globally. The etiology of CHD is mostly multifactorial, with environmental determinants, including maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants, assumed to contribute to CHD development. While particulate matter (PM) is responsible for millions of premature deaths every year, overall ambient air pollutants (PM, nitrogen and sulfur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide) are known to increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this literature review, we provide an overview regarding the updated evidence related to the association between maternal exposure to outdoor air pollutants and CHD occurrence, also exploring the underlying biological mechanisms from human and experimental studies. With the exception of PM, for which there is currently moderate evidence of its positive association with overall CHD risk following exposure during the periconception and throughout pregnancy, and for ozone which shows a signal of association with increased risk of pooled CHD and certain CHD subtypes in the periconceptional period, for the other pollutants, the data are inconsistent, and no conclusion can be drawn about their role in CHD onset. Future epidemiological cohort studies in countries with different degree of air pollution and experimental research on animal models are warranted to gain a comprehensive picture of the possible involvement of ambient air pollutants in CHD etiopathogenesis. While on the one hand this information could also be useful for timely intervention to reduce the risk of CHD, on the other hand, it is mandatory to scale up the use of technologies for pollutant monitoring, as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence for data analysis to identify the non-linear relationships that will eventually exist between environmental and clinical variables. Full article

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) represent a promising next-generation energy storage technology due to their superior theoretical capacity and energy density compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Despite these advantages, their commercialization is hindered by intrinsic challenges such as sulfur’s low electrical conductivity, the polysulfide shuttle effect during cycling, and lithium dendrite formation. This mini-review examines recent advancements in leveraging biomass-derived activated carbon for LSB applications. The review categorizes biomass sources into animal- and plant-based precursors and highlights their respective synthesis processes. Furthermore, it discusses innovative strategies for utilizing these materials to mitigate the challenges of LSB performance and stability, paving the way for more sustainable and efficient energy storage systems. Full article

Carbendazim (CBZ) is used to prevent fungal infections in agricultural crops. Given its high persistence and potential for long-term health effects, it is crucial to quickly identify pesticide residues in food and the environment in order to mitigate excessive exposure. Aptamer-based sensors offer a promising solution for pesticide detection due to their exceptional selectivity, design versatility, ease of use, and affordability. Herein, we report the development of an electrochemical aptasensor for CBZ detection. The sensor was fabricated through a one-step electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Then, a CBZ-specific aptamer was attached via Pt-sulfur bonds. Upon combining CBZ with the aptamer on the electrode surface, the redox reaction of the electrochemical probe K₄[Fe(CN)₆] is hindered, resulting in a current drop. Under optimized conditions (pH of 7.5 and 25 min of incubation time), the proposed aptasensor showed a linear current reduction to CBZ concentrations between 0.5 and 15 nM. The limit of detection (LOD) for this proposed aptasensor is 0.41 nM. Along with its repeatable character, the aptasensor demonstrated better selectivity for CBZ compared to other potential compounds. The recovery rates for detecting CBZ in skim milk and tap water using the standard addition method were 98% and 96%, respectively. The proposed aptasensor demonstrated simplicity, sensitivity, and selectivity for detecting CBZ with satisfactory repeatability. It establishes a strong foundation for environmental monitoring of CBZ. Full article

This paper examines the problem of modeling lithium–sulfur (Li-S) battery discharge dynamics. The importance of this problem stems from the attractive specific energy levels achievable by Li-S batteries, which can be particularly appealing for applications such as aviation electrification. Previous research presents different Li-S battery models, including “zero-dimensional” models that neglect diffusion while using the laws of electrochemistry to represent reduction–oxidation (redox) rates. Zero-dimensional models typically succeed in capturing key features of Li-S battery discharge, including the high plateau, low plateau, and dip point visible in the discharge curves of certain Li-S battery chemistries. However, these models’ use of one state variable to represent the mass of each active species tends to furnish high-order models, with many state variables. This increases the computational complexity of model-based estimation and optimal control. The main contribution of this paper is to develop low-order state-space model of Li-S battery discharge. Specifically, the paper starts with a seventh-order zero-dimensional model of Li-S discharge dynamics, analyzes its discharge behavior, constructs phenomenological second- and third-order models capable of replicating this behavior, and parameterizes these models. The proposed models succeed in capturing battery discharge behavior accurately over a wide range of discharge rates. To the best of our knowledge, these are two of the simplest published models capable of doing so. Full article

Heterocyclic pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants due to their toxic, carcinogenic nature and detrimental impact on the natural ecosystem. These compounds pose a significant environmental concern given their widespread use in medical therapy, constituting over 90% of new medications. Their unique chemical structure contributes to their persistence in various environmental matrices, necessitating urgent measures to mitigate their risks. This review comprehensively examines the sources, environmental fate, toxicity, and long-term risks associated with heterocyclic pharmaceuticals, proposing potential remediation strategies. The article commences with an overview of the diverse types of heterocyclic pharmaceuticals and their applications, focusing on compounds containing heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Subsequently, it explores the sources and pathways through which these pollutants enter the environment, including wastewater discharge, agricultural runoff, improper disposal, resistance to biodegradation, and bioaccumulation. The toxic effects and long-term consequences of exposure to heterocyclic pharmaceuticals are then discussed, encompassing neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenesis, cardiovascular and metabolic toxicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenesis. Additionally, this review summarizes various remediation strategies and treatment solutions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of these compounds, drawing insights from the literature. The research concludes by identifying critical areas for future research, emphasizing the urgent need for more effective remediation strategies to address the growing concern posed by these emerging contaminants. Full article

The effects of acid rain corrosion on the properties of concrete are broadly understood. This study investigated the impact of varying corrosion conditions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of concrete, which has not received sufficient attention using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and compressive tests. In the laboratory, simulated acid rain solutions with pH levels of 0.0, 1.0, and 2.0 were prepared using sulfuric acid solution. A total of 13 sets of 39 concrete cubes each were immersed in these acid solutions for durations of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The findings clearly indicate that simulated acid rain corrosion significantly affects both the microstructure and mechanical properties of concrete. Acid alters the material composition of concrete and simultaneously increases the formation of pores within it. This not only changes the number, area, and perimeter of the pores but also affects their shape parameters, including circularity and fractal box-counting dimension. These pores typically measure less than 0.4 μm and include micro- and medium-sized pores, contributing to the more porous and structurally loose concrete matrix. As the duration of acid exposure and the concentration of the acid solution increase, there is noticeable decrease in compressive strength, accompanied by changes in the concrete structure. The rate of strength reduction varies from 6.05% to 37.90%. The corrosion process of acid solution on concrete is characterized by a gradual advancement of the corrosion front. However, this progression slows over time because as the corrosion depth increases, the penetration of the acid solution into deeper layers becomes limited, thereby reducing the rate of strength deterioration. The deterioration mechanism of concrete can be attributed to dissolution corrosion caused by H⁺ ions and expansion corrosion due to the coupling of SO₄²⁻ ions. Full article

Redox potential is a solution property that influences specific yeast and bacterial activities and the rate of fermentation completion. There is a need to control it if reproducible fermentation outcomes are to be achieved and reliable conclusions are drawn at both the research and commercial scale of wine fermentation. Desirable outcomes that have been observed so far in wine fermentation include the prevention of sluggish and incomplete fermentations, an enhancement in cell viability, increases in the maintenance rate of non-growing cells, and the avoidance of hydrogen sulfide formation when elemental sulfur is present. Other expected fermentation outcomes include changes in the ratios of glycerol and succinate to ethanol, certain aroma and flavor components, and sulfite formation from sulfate in the juice. The juice composition determines the redox potential’s initial value, and the yeast strain’s interaction with the changing juice composition determines the pattern of the potential during fermentation. This interaction also establishes the dynamic response of the prevailing redox buffer to disturbances and the ability to control the potential during fermentation. The chemical reaction sequence, entities, and speciation thought to be responsible for establishing the redox potential in juices and wine are described. A quantitative model for control purposes remains elusive. Examples of the role of added iron in juice, different yeast strains, ambient light, and the addition of external hydrogen peroxide on the response of the potential are presented. Recent examples of controlling the redox potential during white wine and red wine fermentation at a commercial scale are presented, and areas for future research are identified. Full article

In this study, the aroma of 182 table grapes was detected using a PEN3.5 electronic nose in order to explore the aroma components of table grape berries and provide a reference for aroma evaluation and quality improvements. Table grape varieties from the Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences were used as research materials. All of them were harvested in fruit trees over 10 years old from August to October 2023, which provided a reference for aroma evaluation and quality improvement of the table grapes. Radar analysis, correlation analysis, principal component (PCA) analysis, cluster analysis, and difference analysis were used to study these aroma substances. The results show that the sensor contribution rate from high to low is W5S (nitrogen oxides), W2S (alcohols and some aromatic compounds), W1S (alkanes), and W2W (sensor contribution rate from high to low). Cluster analysis can distinguish the varieties of table grapes a with common aroma content, and the varieties with a higher content are in the second category (II). PCA showed that the contribution rate of the first and second principal components of the three main sensors was 97.6% and 2.3%, respectively, and the total contribution value was 99.9%. The contribution rates of the first and second principal components of the three aromatic sensors are 79.5% and 15.9%, respectively, and the total contribution value is 95.4%. The results showed that there were significant differences in the content and composition of aroma substances in different grape varieties. Eight special germplasm with strong aroma (organic compounds of nitrogen oxides, alcohols, alkanes and sulfur) were selected: ‘Spabang’, ‘Neijingxiang’, ‘Zaotian Muscat’, ‘Jinmeigui’, ‘Zhengguo 6’, ‘Muscat Angel’, ‘Zizao’, and ‘Qiumi’. This study confirmed that electronic nose technology can effectively distinguish different varieties of table grapes. This study not only provides a scientific basis for the variety selection for the table grape processing industry, but it can also be used for male or female grape hybridization, which provides valuable data resources for table grape breeding. Full article

The inability of geophysical methods to directly detect gold ore bodies remains a hot topic in the realm of gold geophysical exploration. Through the analysis of high-precision magnetic method, resistivity and induced polarization methods with the gradient arrays, electrical resistivity tomography, and well logging, combined with the discovery of gold mineralization in exploration trenches and boreholes, it has been found that gold mineralization can be classified into two types: terminal and channel. The terminal-type gold mineralization is marked by a buried depth of less than 30 m, accompanied by varying degrees of silicification and pyritization. In contrast, the channel-type of gold mineralization is buried deeper than 30 m and occurs within structural fractures or volcanic breccia mineralized alteration zones. The resistivity difference constitutes a significant geophysical indicator differentiating these two types of gold mineralization. Both types of gold mineralization are located adjacent to IP anomalies, potentially suggesting characteristics of low-sulfur gold mineralization. After comparing several globally typical epithermal gold deposits, we conclude that the findings presented in this paper encapsulate the geophysical traits of an un-eroded, low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit. These insights offer a valuable reference for the direct detection of similar gold orebodies using geophysical methods. Full article

The shallow-sea hydrothermal vent at Guishan Islet, located off the coast of Taiwan, serves as a remarkable natural site for studying microbial ecology in extreme environments. In April 2019, we investigated the composition of prokaryotic picoplankton communities, their gene expression profiles, and the dissolved inorganic carbon uptake efficiency. Our results revealed that the chemolithotrophs Thiomicrorhabdus spp. contributed to the majority of primary production in the waters affected by the hydrothermal vent plume. The metatranscriptomic analysis aligned with the primary productivity measurements, indicating the significant gene upregulations associated with carboxysome-mediated carbon fixation in Thiomicrorhabdus. Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus served as the prokaryotic photoautotrophs for primary productivity in the waters with lower influence from hydrothermal vent emissions. Thiomicrorhabdus and picocyanobacteria jointly provided organic carbon for sustaining the shallow-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystem. In addition to the carbon fixation, the upregulation of genes involved in the SOX (sulfur-oxidizing) pathway, and the dissimilatory sulfate reduction indicated that energy generation and detoxification co-occurred in Thiomicrorhabdus. This study improved our understanding of the impacts of shallow-sea hydrothermal vents on the operation of marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. Full article

Most commercial citrus fruits are grown in acidic soils with high copper (Cu) and low organic matter levels in China. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. Xuegan) seedlings were treated with 0 (HA0), 0.1 (HA0.1), or 0.5 (HA0.5) mM humic acid (HA) and 0.5 (Cu0.5) or 400 (Cu400 or Cu excess) μM CuCl₂ for 24 weeks. The purpose was to validate the hypothesis that HA reduces the oxidative injury caused by Cu400 in roots and leaves via the coordination of strengthened antioxidant defense and glyoxalase systems. Copper excess increased the superoxide anion production rate by 27.0% and 14.2% in leaves and by 47.9% and 33.9% in roots, the malonaldehyde concentration by 199.6% and 27.8% in leaves and by 369.4% and 77.4% in roots, and the methylglyoxal concentration by 18.2% and 6.6% in leaves and by 381.8% and 153.3% in roots, as well as the H₂O₂ production rate (HPR) by 70.5% and 16.5% in roots, respectively, at HA0 and HA0.5. Also, Cu400 increased the leaf HPR at HA0, but not at HA0.5. The addition of HA reduced the Cu400-induced production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species and methylglyoxal and alleviated the impairment of Cu400 to the antioxidant defense system (ascorbate-glutathione cycle, antioxidant enzymes, sulfur-containing compounds, and sulfur-metabolizing enzymes) and glyoxalase system in roots and leaves. The HA-mediated amelioration of Cu toxicity involved reduced oxidative injury due to the coordination of strengthened antioxidant defense and glyoxalase systems. These findings highlight the promise of HA for sustainable citrus cultivation in heavy metal (Cu)-polluted soils. Full article

Addressing the complex physicochemical properties of coal gangue from typical mining areas in Inner Mongolia, this study focuses on this area’s abundant reserves coupled with the low utilization rate and significant strength variability of ecological slope protection materials. Notably, research on the alkalization–carbonization of coal gangue remains scarce. To bridge this gap, we propose a method leveraging the moisture migration behavior of coal gangue porous media. By utilizing continuous displacement high-temperature steam carbon sequestration enhancement technology, internal moisture is gradually and precisely controlled to induce the formation of high-temperature carbonic acid gas. This process facilitates internal carbon sequestration and effectively locks in the sequestration effect. This approach enables effective loading of sulfurized CO₂ composite gases in a reversible manner, achieving passive carbon sequestration driven by moisture migration. Consequently, it enhances the negative carbon content within the aggregates while bolstering their mechanical properties. After alkalization pretreatment with various concentrations and three hours of carbon sequestration, the microhardness of the aggregate surface and transition zone were observed to have increased by 24.3% and 36.4%, respectively. Additionally, the compressive and splitting tensile strengths of coal gangue concrete rose by 4.8 MPa and 0.4 MPa, respectively, while porosity decreased by up to 3.6%, and the proportion of harmful pores dropped from 11.22% to 6.54%. A strong correlation between the proportion of harmless/low-harm pores and strength development was observed. Overall, the high-temperature carbonic acid steam displacement method with sulfurized CO₂ composite gases effectively improves the physicochemical properties of coal gangue aggregates and enhances surface activity and hydration in the interface transition zone, meeting the engineering standards for in situ ecological remediation in Inner Mongolia’s mining areas. Full article